K_Mac

Happy birthday John! I don't care what the others say; you're OK with with me! Just kidding my friend...

The problem here is that we are not all going to agree on what ethical treatment is. For some of us tossing a fish gently back in the water, or laying a fish on the deck or in the grass for a photo shoot is no big deal. For others it is a serious offense. I think most pros are careful with the bass they catch and understand while they are not bullet proof, they are not so delicate that they must be handled like fine crystal. Fishing is, catch and release notwithstanding, a blood sport.

Here is the actual question. My reply was that I treat muddy water like any other situation, and let the fish decide. I do not night fish in cold muddy water after a major rain event, so if you want a line that is one. In cold water I will generally look for the clearest water available in the abovementioned situation to start. I don't really care about trying to quantify how muddy the water is.

Adding a bead or rattle can make a difference, but it is situational. Sometimes just going bigger will make the difference. A big jig and craw, a big worm, or a big creature bait displaces enough water to be easily found by a hungry bass. Bigger or louder are not the only answer though. I have caught big fish in shallow muddy water on a t-rigged Smallie Beaver and 3/16 oz weight. In other words, as J Franco said, don't let water clarity determine what you fish, let the fish do it.

You don't have to look very closely at what the pros have on deck, or listen very closely to what they say to understand the truth of what Mike said. Pros know that at long as the gear meets their minimum standards the rest is up to them. KVD could be sponsored by most tackle manufacturers. He uses Quantum, Strike King, and BPS gear because they give him the best deal. If I were a pro I would make my best deal just like the rest of them. Above a certain level gear becomes about many things including enjoyment and ego. For the pros it is the tools of the trade.

I don't think it is delusional to expect the NFL to enforce the rules. It is not delusional to expect that to be done fairly without money and egos calling the shots. For the record I am a hometown fan, although the Rams may not be here much longer and I don't really care much. I love the Blues and the Cards. The Blues have been breaking my heart for years and I've threatened to become a Blackhawk's fan, but that probably won't happen even if they win the Cup-again. I think Baseball is the best of the bunch. Played well, it requires athleticism, skill, and brains. I also think the designated hitter is an abomination making the American League inferior...

I completely agree with Brady and the Patriots being punished for play outside of the rules, especially with their history. The bigger issue IMO is the way the league has handled this. It is clear (to me anyway) that the league knew that liberties were being taken with the game balls, and if they didn't then there is a serious level of incompetency at the highest level. It is far easier to blame Brady and the Pats for cheating than to fix a system that is clearly broken. The current system of ignoring problems until they make the headlines and then playing dumb is bad for the league, the players, and the fans.

Sorry for your loss Snook.

Bosn I respect your opinion and passion. I understand that marketing and hype are powerful forces, and the claims of folks who have a financial link to the products being peddled have to be examined closely. I also understand that fluorocarbon is not a magic bullet and that it has some limitations. With that said, based on my experience it works better than anything else I have used in contact applications. That statement isn't meant to stir up controversy or dismiss your findings. It simply makes the point that like many things in bass fishing, line selection is subjective. The benefits of fluorocarbon outweigh the cost in my opinion. Whether anyone else agrees really doesn't matter much...

I have lost a couple. I don't have high-end stuff, but both times it was gear that I really liked. I view it as part of the cost of fishing though. Life is too short to worry about things we can't change. Good luck finding a suitable replacement SirSnook.

The above really sums it up well. I use both baitcast and spinning regularly, but I enjoy BC more for most techniques. For most of us a baitcaster is simply the right tool for the job. For me the occasional backlash is less of a problem than some of the line handling issues associated with spinning. Add to that BC ability to handle heavy line (in a smaller, lighter reel) and it really is an easy choice FOR ME. You may choose one or the other, but there simply is no good argument for the superiority of one over the other in all situations IMO.

I think you make a good argument A-Jay. I disagree that there are no lessons to be learned from sports. You learned many of the important life lessons from people of integrity and honor. There are many who are not so fortunate though. Like it or not, our sports heroes and teams are an example to many of how real life is played. I don't think you can say it is just a game when there are so many who look to sports for life lessons. When there is no integrity in professional sports it does have consequences. The NFL and professional sports in general have a greater responsibility for more than just entertainment IMO.

A-Jay I agree with the central idea of the above article. The NFL can't talk about integrity while not doing anything about it. If the "integrity of the game" is a meaningless phrase in professional sports, where winning and money are all that matters, it is a sad indictment of all involved. That includes those of us who blindly root for our teams with little regard for the bigger picture.

The attitude that everyone is doing it, or that it's only important if done at the highest level is part of the problem. It brings into question the integrity of everyone, including NFL management. The Pats are the preeminent team in the league, and their continued disregard for the rules is a blemish on the game. Should they be held to the highest standard? Only if the NFL gives a rip about the integrity of the game.

I agree there are more important issues that need addressing. With that said, the Pats have a history that continues to bring their character into question. The NFL needs to end this and send a very clear message to the Pats and every other team that no one is above the rules.

Most of us have had to learn that lesson. Once you do it a time or two, you will keep your thumb off of the bar. It is also part of the learning curve. I agree with Chris that mono (or a copolymer) would be a better choice while learning. I also like fluorocarbon, but it kinks more easily when you have a professional overrun, and you will have a few more...good luck.

X3. Funniest post I've read in a long time.

If a guy isn't careful on Kentucky Lake there will be mourning! That lake has tried to kill me a couple of times! Fish the offshore humps and ledges. Pay attention to current. Good luck.

$90 seems like a lot unless you compare it to any other professional sports event. There are very limited seats live,and a huge number of people who want to see this fight. Mayweather has a lot of expenses-cars, clothes, lawyers...

I agree with J Franco that the real mistake is not going. As far as noise is concerned there are times when it may matter, but in my experience it matters more to fishermen than the fish. If fishing behind others ruined my chances of catching fish on many of the lakes I fish I would not catch much. The idea that a little fish blood will stop the bite is not supported by my experience. My point is don't sweat the small stuff, and it is almost all small stuff.

There you go! It is not rocket science, but it is a different skill set than you use when using a spinning or spincast reel. It is hard for some of us to relearn casting after years of doing it another way. Get over it! Learning to use a baitcaster well takes a little time and practice. It is a skill worth having so relax and enjoy the process.

Nice fish SPEED!

You might want to transition back using a copolymer line. Yo Zuri Hybrid or P-Line CXX would be a good start. They do not transmit vibration quite as good as fluorocarbon, but do a better job than mono IMO. There is a real difference in feel in these lines; you will have to decide whether it is a deal breaker or not. Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

Bass fishing is both easy and complex. Most anyone can catch a bass or two under many conditions, but consistently catching fish, especially bigger ones in all conditions takes most of us a lifetime to figure out. Some of us never do! I completely agree with all who recommend reading everything you can find on bass fishing and taking advantage of this forum to ask questions. There are a couple of guys here who know a little about bass fishing! Time on the water with experienced bass fishermen is by far the best way to learn IMO. Good luck!

Alpha Male you make a well reasoned case. I overeacted to your original post. I apologize. There are some who won't see any point of view other than their own; you clearly are not one of them. Thanks for your input.